The Federal Government has launched the zonal capacity-building training for engineers, technologists, and technicians, aimed at sharing technical skills that will enhance their capabilities to meet the evolving demands of modern infrastructure delivery.
At the workshop in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, said the minister approved it to address the widening generational and capacity gaps caused by the recent retirement of several senior engineers within the year.
Adebiyi observed that organising the training on a zonal basis, such as the North Central, would ensure efficient resource management while encouraging broader participation across the entire country.
“This training forms part of a broader national initiative approved by the works minister to strengthen technical capacity, reinforce professionalism, and ensure that the ministry remains at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure development across Nigeria.”
According to him, it will refresh core competencies in highway and bridge design, project and contract management, and applicable quality assurance procedures while promoting cross-functional exposure to develop versatile, all-around professionals.
Highlighting the importance of dynamic field experience, the Permanent Secretary underscored the need to rotate engineers across different regions and departments, stating that long-term stay in a single location or unit could limit professional growth and technical adaptability.
He therefore called on young professionals to invest in self-development and embrace competence as a prerequisite for employability in a modern public service environment, where performance now drives progression.
On the recruitment gap within the service, he explained that a comprehensive personnel audit had been conducted and submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for further consideration, adding, “Let the engagement reset our priorities and rekindle pride as engineers.
Reaffirming the ministry’s zero tolerance for misconduct, Adebiyi noted that the civil service has well-established disciplinary frameworks across all cadres and that infractions will be met with appropriate sanctions through existing regulations.
He urged the participants that the training was not merely academic but a moral and professional awakening. He called on engineers to recommit to excellence, uphold ethical standards, and demonstrate the technical leadership the Ministry represents.
Also, Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi emphasised the importance of addressing workforce overload and called for increased manpower to support the growing volume of national projects, while urging field engineers to maintain discipline and deliver consistently despite the constraints.
Engr. C. Shausu delivered a paper on “Effective Communication Skills,” highlighting the critical role of communication in project coordination and interdepartmental collaboration to ensure safety in project sites.
Another speaker, Director of Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi, described the training as a demonstration of the ministry’s commitment to the professional development and technical performance of its workforce, urging participants to embrace their roles with renewed dedication and sense of national duty.
